Jeffrey Flanagan published two new things, a note from Dayton Moore’s comments at the GM meetings:
Royals general manager Dayton Moore said it’s way too early to make any judgments on the upcoming free-agent market, but he indicated he expects the Royals to survey the market with the intention of finding a good bargain or two for 2020.
Moore, speaking to reporters at the General Managers Meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., reiterated that the Royals, who have lost over 100 games two straight seasons, plan on adding to their core with some select free-agent signings. It is believed the Royals are looking for bullpen help along with a veteran starter or two.
...and a new Royals Inbox, including dashing the hopes of anyone still dreaming of a Mike Moustakas reunion (and also a question from our Max Rieper!):
The problem with bringing Mike Moustakas back is that he’s not interested in signing a one-year deal anywhere, and the Royals aren’t really interested in multiyear deals in this stage of their rebuild. Plus, Hunter Dozier’s improved defense has made him a lock as the third baseman of the future. There’s no value in bringing Moose back for a team years away from contending. He wouldn’t be interested anyway.
2017 first-round pick Nick Pratto had a “horrific” 2019 season by his own admission, so he is in a special camp the Royals set up to work on his hitting with the help of Rapsodo technology, and without facing live pitching for now, per Alec Lewis for The Athletic:
“This now is where (players such as Pratto) can really look at it and make some well-informed decisions on what they need to either continue or change,” Picollo says. “You’re freed up. You make a change on a Monday. If you like it, let’s carry it into Tuesday and see where it is by the end of the week without having to face pitchers. If we’re seeing the results we want to see, this is something we need to stay on track with. If we’re not seeing the results, we have time to pivot and add.”
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Lots of other news bits around MLB:
It seems that Clint Hurdle is retiring, though he was interviewed for San Diego’s hitting coach job. Hurdle has Royals ties, having debuted in KC as a 19-year-old (!!) and played from 1977-81 before moving on to the Reds, Mets, and Cardinals (and then Mets again).
The Baseball Writers Association of America named Rocco Baldelli of the Twins and Mike Shildt of the Cardinals as their Managers of the Year.
Gabe Kapler will now manage the Giants, following the retirement of longtime SF manager Bruce Bochy.
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All of that is probably small news compared to the story that the Astros used a combination of cameras and good old fashioned banging on things in the dugout to steal signs. Ken Rosenthal and Evan Drellich reported at The Athletic:
The Astros’ set-up in 2017 was not overly complicated. A feed from a camera in center field, fixed on the opposing catcher’s signs, was hooked up to a television monitor that was placed on a wall steps from the team’s home dugout at Minute Maid Park, in the tunnel that runs between the dugout and the clubhouse. Team employees and players would watch the screen during the game and try to decode signs — sitting opposite the screen on massage tables in a wide hallway.
If you can’t read the full story, this video breaks it down really well. Audio is important but also NSFW.
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I don’t think we had enough Star Wars talk yesterday, so how about the Han Solo/Greedo scene being edited AGAIN for Disney+?
KC Bier Co. is either the unfortunate victim of a thief/spree criminal or engaging in an extremely odd ad campaign.
Our company van was stolen last week and is now being used in multiple crimes across the KC area. If you see a white 2004 Ford Econoline 350 w/our logos, MO license plate FL1-S5Z, please notify the KCMO Police Dept Central Patrol at 816-234-5510. Case No. 19-85136.
— KC Bier Co. (@KCBierCo) November 12, 2019
Here’s a breakdown of the meteor that flashed across the St. Louis sky on Monday.
A surprisingly fascinating look at a Pennsylvania company called Star Wipers, which turns discarded clothes and bedding into wiping rags. The story also contains some delightful gifs.
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The song of the day is brought to you by whoever was running the music during my Friday afternoon bowling games and played this at least five times, maybe six. The last time we heard it come on, it was abruptly cut off in favor of a commercial for the alley, and then the music was completely different the rest of the afternoon.